9th July 2018, 13:43

Ben Kaye: The Shay is a fortress

Hooker Ben Kaye believes Halifax have turned the MBi Shay Stadium into a fortress this season after their latest home triumph over rivals Featherstone Rovers yesterday afternoon.

Fax won 34-20 against Featherstone to return to third-place in the Betfred Championship table, their seventh straight match without defeat on home soil.

Kaye told the media after the game that the Shay has become a strong-hold for the Blue and Whites and also hailed the impact of the club’s supporters this year.

“It was one of our goals at the start of this season to make the Shay a fortress,” said Kaye.

“What we’ve set out of the start of the season, we’ve pretty much executed. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve still got some hits and there’s some big games to come.”

“The fans are brilliant, they’re absolutely brilliant. When we got into the Middle 8’s they were quite like this (2016), but this year they’ve taken it to a different level.”

“They’re really behind us and they’re helping us out. When we’ve defended a set on our line, they’re cheering like we’ve scored a try - it’s brilliant to hear.”

Half-back Scott Murrell won the sponsors and supporters Man of the Match awards, but the vice-captain paid credit to the tireless work of the forward pack, particularly in the gruelling hot conditions.

“Scott was class today, he controlled the game and kicked the ball into touch when he needed to,” added Kaye.

“But, it was like a cauldron today in the heat and our forwards won’t get the credit for that. Players like Bobby (Jacob Fairbank), Will (Maher), Grixy (Simon Grix), who do the tough stuff.”

“At times, players were out on their feet and they ground it through. I thought our forwards were unbelievable today.”